2008 Woodie Awards
Men's cross country looks to senior runners
Zachary Groves
Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: Sports
According to SIUE Head Coach David Astrauskas, the mix of two All-Great Lakes Valley Conference runners andan impressive summer could bring big things to the men's cross country team this season.
Hosting the NCAA Division II Regionals in November could help a little, too.
The Cougars return with award-winning veterans Erik Steffens and Kyle Cameron. Steffens, a senior, will give the team one last go on the courses while Cameron looks to further improve his skills as a junior.
Senior Brian Getz, junior Steve Werths, a sophomore trio of Sean Gosewisch, Jared Starnes and Ryan Wessling, and freshman Shawn Dillard help make up the remainder of the group.
Astrauskas said the men have gone the extra mile during the summer months to prepare for the fall campaign.
"I do believe we have a lot of quality guys," Astrauskas said. "They all had big summers and logged a lot of miles. A lot of our guys are in pretty good shape."
The runners come in after finishing 10th at the 2006 regionals. Along with the women's team, the squad earned a national academic award.
While the team, which has two fewer runners than last year, figures to be one of the strongest in the conference, Steffens said it will need more than just talent to keep up with what he considers the toughest region in the nation.
"We are a little shorter on runners this year … so we are relying on the good graces of the running gods for us to not get hurt and succeed," Steffens said.
The Cougars travel north to Peoria for their first tournament, the Bradley Invite. It's set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.
If successful this year, the men will get to run in their own backyard Nov. 3 when SIUE is scheduled to host the NCAA Regionals.
Astrauskas said he's hopeful he will see strong turnouts each time out.
"I just look for these guys to be consistent week in and week out," Astrauskas said.
"And I think week in and week out they will race well."
Steffens said the ultimate motivation should be the fact that this is the Cougars' last shot at a national tournament bid before moving to Division I, which will keep all SIUE teams out of tournament play for a few years.
"It's everyone's senior year this year," Steffens said.
Hosting the NCAA Division II Regionals in November could help a little, too.
The Cougars return with award-winning veterans Erik Steffens and Kyle Cameron. Steffens, a senior, will give the team one last go on the courses while Cameron looks to further improve his skills as a junior.
Senior Brian Getz, junior Steve Werths, a sophomore trio of Sean Gosewisch, Jared Starnes and Ryan Wessling, and freshman Shawn Dillard help make up the remainder of the group.
Astrauskas said the men have gone the extra mile during the summer months to prepare for the fall campaign.
"I do believe we have a lot of quality guys," Astrauskas said. "They all had big summers and logged a lot of miles. A lot of our guys are in pretty good shape."
The runners come in after finishing 10th at the 2006 regionals. Along with the women's team, the squad earned a national academic award.
While the team, which has two fewer runners than last year, figures to be one of the strongest in the conference, Steffens said it will need more than just talent to keep up with what he considers the toughest region in the nation.
"We are a little shorter on runners this year … so we are relying on the good graces of the running gods for us to not get hurt and succeed," Steffens said.
The Cougars travel north to Peoria for their first tournament, the Bradley Invite. It's set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.
If successful this year, the men will get to run in their own backyard Nov. 3 when SIUE is scheduled to host the NCAA Regionals.
Astrauskas said he's hopeful he will see strong turnouts each time out.
"I just look for these guys to be consistent week in and week out," Astrauskas said.
"And I think week in and week out they will race well."
Steffens said the ultimate motivation should be the fact that this is the Cougars' last shot at a national tournament bid before moving to Division I, which will keep all SIUE teams out of tournament play for a few years.
"It's everyone's senior year this year," Steffens said.
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